Ava 1 week!

Summer poppy swaddle: {Little Unicorn}

Red headband & lace onesie: Made by me

Our little Boca baby is one week old! Today is actually her due date and it's already going by too fast. NNNOoooooo! She has been amazing so far. Pretty much just eats, sleeps, and poops. She's been so much easier than my last two. Ava has been doing wonderfully at nursing however her first latch is really strong and I'm cringing every time I put her on the breast. Luckily it's only at first. My shoulders and muscle knots already ache from nursing around the clock, but I will get stronger. Her birth weight was 6 lbs 6 oz, 6lbs 1 oz when we left the hospital and she's now 6 lbs 9 oz so the weight is coming on. 

The other girls had colds when I went into labor and a few days later H and I both got what they had, so we've all been sick in the house. We've been watching Ava like a hawk for any signs of a cold but she has been healthy with no signs of a cold. Thank God! We're praying she doesn't catch it. 

Ava's Birth Story

So I believe the last time I posted while I was pregnant, I mentioned that at 38 weeks and 3 days I was barely dilated at all. I thought for sure that I would go to my due date like I did with baby #3 or that I would go past due. The next day (Friday) after my OB appointment I decided to take the girls to the library last minute. I knew the weekend was upon us so I wanted to check out some books and a movie for them. The library nearby has a nature trail and since the day was so nice, afterwards I thought it would be nice to take a little walk. I hardly exercised at all this pregnancy but I had been on my feet most of the day with the girls and I really don't think I've worked harder in my life in regards to my family and business. So we took our little stroll and then headed home. The rest of the night was uneventful, but I did have trouble sleeping. From 5 am on, I kept having to use the restroom. In retrospect I see it was because the baby must have dropped further and was putting more pressure on my bladder.

I got up for the day around 8 am and noticed that I was having a lot of braxton hicks contractions. Around 8:30 am H left to go bike riding and I started timing them. I was getting them every 2-5 minutes but they were painless. Something was definitely up. I texted my mom around 9:30 to tell her what I was feeling and joked that I hoped this wasn't false labor. By 10:30 they started to calm down but I was still getting them here and there. Some I had to breathe through but that was nothing new for me. I've had that feeling for weeks with some of them.

We went about our business and went to go see a house with a friend of ours and his toddler, and then went to the park. There weren't happening too much at the park so I was definitely thinking the baby was not going to come on that day. After the park we all went to go have pizza and I noticed the contractions were getting stronger. We ate, stopped at the grocery store while I waited in the car and by then it was 3:00 pm. I told DH that we should get home already. By the time we got home contractions were coming closer and stronger. I was still able to finish packing my bag, take a shower and blow dry my hair, but I would stop and breathe through my contractions. Once I finished everything they were still coming but not yet 5 minutes apart. I waited it out on the couch and called my OB. She told me to wait till they are about 5 minutes apart or I could come in and do a labor check but if I was only 1 or 2 cm dilated they would just send me home. I waited 15 more minutes and by then they were less than 5 minutes apart and very painful. We headed to the hospital around 5:00 pm. By the time I got up to labor and delivery and checked I was 5 cm dilated! Yep I was going to be admitted and it was baby time. I requested the epidural. I was in so much pain by the time we got to the hospital that I was literally shaking. My teeth were chattering and I was in agony. I couldn't get the epidural right away though. They needed to get a bag of IV fluid in me first. Around 6:30 pm I had the worst contraction of all and I felt my water break. Around 7pm I got the epidural and sweet relief finally kicked in 30 minutes later. Usually it happens fast but not this time. Once I went numb I was able to rest, talk and post on Facebook. Relief never felt so good.

Around 10:00 pm the nurse and doctor came in and it was go time. I was at a 10. The doctor suited up but everybody in the room pretty much had to postition me and hold my legs. I was completely numb that I couldn't feel my legs. Still I pushed and I was able to get her out in 3 big pushes. Right away they put her on my chest and I was able to hold her for about 12 minutes before they weighed and cleaned her. After they got her clean H and I noticed she looked so much like our second daughter--only she had a lot more hair! Ava is gorgeous with the most beautiful golden brown hair. Her sisters got to see her the next day and naturally fell in love with her as well. We had a great hospital stay and were discharged 2 days later. H and I are definitely feeling very blessed.

Have a great weekend!

Exciting news!

A busy month indeed! Thrilled to announce that FHJ Baby is featured on Zulily.com! We are listed under the "toddler meal time must-haves" and half of the newest collection is on there. The remaining bibs will be listed under the upcoming "dining with baby" Zulily event on the 28th. 

Here is the link: http://www.zulily.com/e/toddler-mealtime-must-haves-134342.html

I've been working with them for months and so happy the day has finally come. Also Bluum the largest baby, kids, pregnancy subscription box reached out to me a few weeks ago and they are interested in my business. I haven't decided if it's the right move for my company at this time, but it's being considered. 

Have a great Thursday!

Welcome to the world Ava!

She's here!

Our 4th daughter was born Saturday September 12th 2015 at 38 weeks 5 days.

Weight: 6 lbs 6 oz.

Height: 19 in 48cm

We are absolutely in love with our little doll! Birth story and pictures to come soon.

Sewing for baby round 3

I've sewn a variety of things over the years, but I've never done a baby romper. I can make something just from looking at a picture and I normally don't use a pattern except for my products in the shop. With this romper I did draft a pattern for the top and then just winged it on the bottom and did my best to follow this sunsuit tutorial. I had some difficulty with the shirring--since I've never shirred before, but it got done and I can't wait for baby to wear it!

Speaking of which, I'm 38 weeks and 3 days today and had an OB appointment today. It looks like she is just super comfy in there. I am barely a fingertip dilated. Apparently all the braxton  hicks contractions I've been having for weeks that I actually have to breathe through have meant nothing. Looks like we are in it for the long haul. I don't mind really, I'm just surprised that despite that and being on my feet all day and carrying Mariam that I haven't progressed much. Well she'll be here when she'll be here.

Have a great weekend!

38 Weeks Pregnant!

(These pictures are from last week)

Total weight gain: 26 pounds. 

Maternity clothes? Yes! The state of my wardrobe is so sad I borrowed one of my 12 year olds dresses and I wear it as a top. Haha!

Stretch marks? Just some little old ones from Mariam. 

Sleep: I don't necessarily wake up to use the bathroom, but whenever the girls wake up (which is 1-3 times a night) I have to go straight to the bathroom after I've taken them back to their room. 

Best moment this week: Having a 3 day weekend with the family was nice. 

Movement: She doesn't move as much since she's getting crowded. It was the same way at 38 weeks with Mariam as well. I feel more small movements and nudges than lots of pokes. 

Food cravings: Still having my nightly oreos with a cold glass of milk. The chocolate craving is always there.  

Labor Signs: I had very bad cramps yesterday morning that radiated from my stomach to my back and down to my legs. It actually pinged my radar and I thought something could be up since I've never experienced cramps like these this late in a pregnancy, but apparently it was nothing. Just my body getting ready. I have an OB appt this Thursday and an internal will be done so we'll see if I've dilated anymore. 

Symptoms: Aside from being tired from lack of sleep, I feel ok. Better than I did some weeks in the beginning  of the third trimester. It is rather painful switching sides in bed at night. i have to be sure to hold the bump just right. 

My husband was drawing with the girls the other day and he thinks he's funny. I guess he was pretty close. My poor Mariam keeps getting bumped in the head by my protruding bump. 

XOXO

Shop talk

Besides baby girls, most of you all know I also design baby accessories here and ever so often I like to update on the latest happenings. Earlier in the year I thought about taking a short maternity break when the baby came but as the months went by and new opportunities came along, that ship has now sailed away. September is going to be a big month for my business and I'm really excited about it!

I was thrilled to see that one of my products was featured in Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine again (2015 Fall Buyer's Guide this time)

I've also been a part of more fabulous blog reviews and have gotten the attention of some really big companies. I wish I could name drop, and while I can't just yet, I'll be sure to talk about it when the time is right. Perhaps some of the most exciting news for me is that the first maternity accessory design is finally finished! It was a long process and a lot of going back and forth with the manufacturer but I think we finally got it just right. I'm currently looking for a first or second trimester pregnant blogger to model them. Hopefully I find someone quick so we can get the ball rolling. Here are a few pictures of some new and upcoming releases.

Have a great Wednesday!